ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police
District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 Southbound at Milepost 128.5, Marion County
WHEN: Aug. 19, 2020 at 4:50 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2003 Silver Mercury Grand Marquis
DRIVER: Unit 1- Ezell Smith, 41 year old male from Green Bay, WI - Deceased
PASSENGER: Unit 1- Sherie Simmons, 40 year old female from Sledge, MS - Deceased
Unit 1- Mattie Simmons, 63 year old female from Sledge, MS - Deceased
Unit 1- 2 year old female from Carthage, MS - Flown to a regional hospital with injuries
Unit 1- 11 month old female from Carthage, MS - Flown to a regional hospital with injuries
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Interstate 57 near milepost 128.5 in Marion County. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 left the roadway to the right and struck a tree head on. The driver and two adult passengers were pronounced deceased on scene by the Marion County Coroner. Two juvenile passengers were flown to a regional hospital for treatment of their injuries. This crash is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.